White Collar is becoming a collecting pool -- it stars Bryce Larkin from Chuck, has Wendy Watson from the Middleman and Charlie from Fringe as FBI agents, with Kelly from Saved by the Bell in there for good measure.
It's a very watchable show, too, but it helps that its got a lot of very likable actors. #v
I don't understand why they keep re-airing Threshold. It's as if they enjoy making me sad. How about a 2 hour movie to tie everything up SyFy? Don't those things cost you like 5 dollars to make over there? #v
@disatess: I always get Threshold mixed up with that other show that had the water monsters taking over people's bodies. Threshold was pretty interesting thanks to the characters.
I sat through the entire V: The Final Battle marathon on the SyFy Channel yesterday . . . with my grandma, who quite enjoyed it. Last time I saw it I was like 12 or 13. It's amazing how much I'd forgotten. The scenes that had really stuck with me in childhood were mostly inconsequential, like Diana biting the head off the bird and Elizabeth spitting acid on another little girl. You know, the fun kids' stuff.
That said, the series really needed a remake. It could've been so much better with a larger budget and modern tech. Some of it is really dated, like the special effects during Julie's conversion, which were rather humorous in spots rather than being frightening (The giant iguana? Maybe if it had whipped out it's giant double penis . . .) Anyway, I assume this remake will be loosely based on the series, so I'm expecting lots of flash and a dumbed-down plot.
@Starwatcher: "...so I'm expecting lots of flash and a dumbed-down plot..." Yeah, the original V was so smart with its obvious symbolism, one dimensional villains, hokey sentimentality, and corny dialog. All that was missing was Marc Singer turning to the camera and saying, "This story is about fascism. The aliens are Nazis from outer space." #v
@disatess: I don't think the new series will be that great but the original was hardly high art. It starred Marc Singer for Pete's sake. The one truly alien quality they gave the Visitors besides the green skin was the habit of eating live meat. #v
@Bill-Lee: Well, it wasn't spectacular, but it could've been a lot worse. So, the symbolism was obvious. So what? Many of the best Twilight Zone eps had rather obvious symbolism too. I really don't have a big problem with polemical fiction, as long as it tries to be fair, and I think V did. Here you had humans siding with the aliens and some of the aliens siding with humans. And we are talking about alien lizards here--do you really think they would be anything other than predatory fascists? #v
@Starwatcher: It just shows that Johnson doesn't know much about reptile behavior, lizards aren't particularly social animals and fascism requires a large measure of social cooperation. Predatory? Yes. Nazis from space? No. The humans who sided with Visitors were the unwashed masses who were easily duped by the Visitor's empty promises, individuals brainwashed by the conversion process, or complete assholes to begin with -- like Donovan's mom. So that's hardly even handed. The Visitors who sided with humans were either dimwits like Robert Englund's character or using the human resistance for their own ends like Martin. I would have liked to know more about Martin's motivations but Johnson never bothers to show us. Johnson's script is so poorly written that he barely even gives Martin anything to do but be convinced by Donovan's arguments. I don't remember all of his lines but they were mostly amounted to "I want to help you but your plan seems dangerous. My people can't risk that much for you."
The Twilight Zone was written in the late 1950s and early 60s. TV was still a novelty and TV writers weren't sure how subtle they could be with it yet. And the audience was still getting a grasp of TV drama. By the time Johnson created V, TV had been around for 30 years, viewers were used to it, and TV writers were beginning to experiment with realistic dialog and subtle themes. Johnson wrote V as if he were writing it for a the original Twilight Zone. His Jewish character practically screams, "These aliens remind me of Poland in 1939, when the Nazis took over. Take special note of the parallels that Kenny Johnson has included such as their swastika style logo, uniforms, and rounding up of scientists. I am here as a Jewish character to remind you of the Holocaust. Remember the Holocaust?" It was dreck. Entertaining and high minded dreck but still dreck. The remake can't be lamer than the original. It can equal it but it can't be worse. #v
I'm on Central Time and I'm really concerned, because I have yet to see a listing for the new V on Tuesday night. Is it possible that we're just going to miss out entirely? #v
@TemporalSword: man i just come out of reign with dissapointment because it has a kick ass premise with poor execution and plot holes the size of well dragons. #v
@GreyHammer: I saw Reign as a drive-in double feature with Signs. Signs was first...so, Reign seemed pretty decent. (The sitting in lawnchairs and drinking probably helped, too..) #v
I just watched the episode of CASTLE- who was the 19th century poet that Castle was dressed as, at the end of the show? I didn't catch the reference. #castle
@Chip Skylark of Space: Edgar Allen Poe, because of the raven.
From "The Raven"--
--"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.' "
--And eventually the refrain of "Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'"
Someone actually does call Castle "Poe."
--from your friendly neighborhood English major :)
Really good episode. I'm not into crime/cop procedual-type shows, but Castle is great because it's not all about the MOTW. The casting of his mother and daughter is pitch perfect and the writing has so many subtle comedic moments. And of course, Nathan Fillion rocks. #castle
@elisabeth.ca09001: Thanks for the tip, Elisabeth! I went back and looked at the opening 10 minutes again, and noticed the music behind Captain Tightpants,and noticed another Mel reference, besides the outfit, his daughter saying that it'd been five years, etc. I loved it.
Then, I went to the last 5 minutes, and saw the raven, and the amazing resemblance to Mister Poe. I loved Beckett's costume too, but then I caught Jon Huertas doing his character from GENERATION KILL. I couldn't figure out who Seamus Dever was dressed up as.
I don't know if this is the place, but I watched episode 13 of Defying Gravity last weekend. It got better and better every show after ABC canceled it and turned in a a very good series. I'm just happy that it continued in Canada.
Hey, you forgot to mention the Monsters vs Aliens Halloween Special on Wednesday night. Pretty sure it's going to be on ABC. Here's a link to a story that has a couple clips... looks cute, like that Shrek Christmas special from awhile ago.
Could the attacks on the agents in Fast Forward be connected, lets's see...
-Multiple vaguely asian people involved in each attack.
-Attacks are simultaneous.
-Attacks occur in different time zones.
-Everybody attacked was working on Mosaic.
-To my memory, everybody working on Mosaic was attacked.
-Attacks occur right after Mosaic secures funding.
Nah, must be a coincidence. Seriously, are they actually going to work from a theory that these weren't connected? For more than 5 minutes?
Oh, and Fox Movie Channel becomes "Channel of the Apes" starting Friday.
So at what point will SGU resource deficiencies cease so that the crew can start... I don't know... fighting evil Teal'c spawn or something? So far, we've run out of air... then power... and now water. They're running out of stuff to run out of. #castle
@atrus123: I had a discussion with David Blue (Eli) via twitter and he was telling me that the first season is pretty much survivability issues and that second season will focus on more uses of the stargate to find the necessary items to get home. Season 1 is completely wrapped as of last night, so we will get (according to the numbers) at least two seasons out of this show.
I know you guys are getting unsettled with it right now, but try not to be sci-fi snobs. Most sci-fi is a retread of a retread.
Just because they are having trouble getting resources every episode doesn't mean the episodes still aren't a pleasure to watch because of the characters and the story involved.
Climb off your high horses and enjoy the ride. #castle
@RandomFrequentFlierDent: In my brain... "Furling" is some weird Asgard mispronunciation of "Time Lord." just thought I'd throw that out there. #castle
@PalinFreeborn: So basically, what you are saying here is "how dare you people be bored with the same old crap, because everything is the same old crap?" Yeah, that's a winning thought process there champ. I'm guessing you didn't see the box office results for last weekend, did you?
As the significant ratings drop and negative critic reaction to season 3 of BSG showed, people tire very quickly of the "we're runnin' out of stuffz" plot device, so is it any real shock that viewers are already voicing their fatigue this time around? The fact that it's going to be season long doesn't help that any. There is a reason SGA dropped nugget in favor of more action/exploration oriented stories after the forst season and a half.
We aren't snobs, we're discerning science fiction fans. That's why we come here to discuss the genre with others who share our interests, if not always the same tastes. We aren't riding a high horse when we say we're sick of SyFy beating a dead one. Now how about you go enjoy what you enjoy, and stop berating others for not being as patient and deeply insightful as you attempt to appear.
@atrus123: yes, they've run out of earth, air, fire, next water - that finishes the 4 elements. Once the smarty space ship refills the water then they'll be off for what next? Get the promenade deck open, and pick up some show-girls and a cruise director, Star Gate Love Boat #castle
11/03/09
11/02/09
It's a very watchable show, too, but it helps that its got a lot of very likable actors. #v
11/02/09
11/02/09
More specifically, I remember Carla Gugino in "Threshold." #v
11/02/09
Yeah, she was really, really good in that. #v
11/02/09
hell... let`s just remake star wars and really make it a parasitic giant . #v
11/02/09
Beyond Carla Gugino being fairly hot, even. #v
11/03/09
11/02/09
That said, the series really needed a remake. It could've been so much better with a larger budget and modern tech. Some of it is really dated, like the special effects during Julie's conversion, which were rather humorous in spots rather than being frightening (The giant iguana? Maybe if it had whipped out it's giant double penis . . .) Anyway, I assume this remake will be loosely based on the series, so I'm expecting lots of flash and a dumbed-down plot.
11/02/09
11/02/09
what`s the fine line between remake and copying ? #v
11/03/09
11/03/09
11/03/09
The Twilight Zone was written in the late 1950s and early 60s. TV was still a novelty and TV writers weren't sure how subtle they could be with it yet. And the audience was still getting a grasp of TV drama. By the time Johnson created V, TV had been around for 30 years, viewers were used to it, and TV writers were beginning to experiment with realistic dialog and subtle themes. Johnson wrote V as if he were writing it for a the original Twilight Zone. His Jewish character practically screams, "These aliens remind me of Poland in 1939, when the Nazis took over. Take special note of the parallels that Kenny Johnson has included such as their swastika style logo, uniforms, and rounding up of scientists. I am here as a Jewish character to remind you of the Holocaust. Remember the Holocaust?" It was dreck. Entertaining and high minded dreck but still dreck. The remake can't be lamer than the original. It can equal it but it can't be worse. #v
11/02/09
11/02/09
Also, I would have liked to see where Threshold was going. It was the best of the three sci-fi shows that premiered that year, and canceled too soon.
11/02/09
11/02/09
11/02/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
From "The Raven"--
--"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.' "
--And eventually the refrain of "Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'"
Someone actually does call Castle "Poe."
--from your friendly neighborhood English major :)
10/27/09
Edgar Allan Poe
Really good episode. I'm not into crime/cop procedual-type shows, but Castle is great because it's not all about the MOTW. The casting of his mother and daughter is pitch perfect and the writing has so many subtle comedic moments. And of course, Nathan Fillion rocks. #castle
10/27/09
#castle
10/27/09
Then, I went to the last 5 minutes, and saw the raven, and the amazing resemblance to Mister Poe. I loved Beckett's costume too, but then I caught Jon Huertas doing his character from GENERATION KILL. I couldn't figure out who Seamus Dever was dressed up as.
A great episode. #castle
10/26/09
10/27/09
10/26/09
[www.daemonstv.com] #castle
10/26/09
-Multiple vaguely asian people involved in each attack.
-Attacks are simultaneous.
-Attacks occur in different time zones.
-Everybody attacked was working on Mosaic.
-To my memory, everybody working on Mosaic was attacked.
-Attacks occur right after Mosaic secures funding.
Nah, must be a coincidence. Seriously, are they actually going to work from a theory that these weren't connected? For more than 5 minutes?
Oh, and Fox Movie Channel becomes "Channel of the Apes" starting Friday.
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
However, I doubt creatures with the name "Furling" are gritty and dark enough for New Stargate. #castle
10/26/09
I know you guys are getting unsettled with it right now, but try not to be sci-fi snobs. Most sci-fi is a retread of a retread.
Just because they are having trouble getting resources every episode doesn't mean the episodes still aren't a pleasure to watch because of the characters and the story involved.
Climb off your high horses and enjoy the ride. #castle
10/26/09
10/26/09
As the significant ratings drop and negative critic reaction to season 3 of BSG showed, people tire very quickly of the "we're runnin' out of stuffz" plot device, so is it any real shock that viewers are already voicing their fatigue this time around? The fact that it's going to be season long doesn't help that any. There is a reason SGA dropped nugget in favor of more action/exploration oriented stories after the forst season and a half.
We aren't snobs, we're discerning science fiction fans. That's why we come here to discuss the genre with others who share our interests, if not always the same tastes. We aren't riding a high horse when we say we're sick of SyFy beating a dead one. Now how about you go enjoy what you enjoy, and stop berating others for not being as patient and deeply insightful as you attempt to appear.
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/27/09
10/27/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09